Retirement in Cuenca
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Thinking of Retiring in Cuenca?
Cuenca, Ecuador has been named "one of the world's cheapest places to retire on a pensioner's budget." The secret is out: Retirement dollars can stretch further in this city of approximately 467,000 people—the third largest city in Ecuador—than in most foreign countries. Cuenca is located in the southern sierras of Ecuador and enjoys a temperate climate all year long despite being located at 8,200 feet above sea level.
As an UNESCO heritage foundation city and the cultural capital of Ecuador, there are museums to visit, concerts to attend, and festivals to enjoy all year long. Cuenca is more reminiscent of Europe than Latin America with its wrought balconies bedecked with bougainvillea, its cobblestone streets, and its churches and cathedrals. Cuenca definitely deserves a second look as a retirement destination.
Cost of Living
One of the most appealing aspects of Cuenca is the low cost of living. You can live well on $1,200 to $1,400 a month. The cost of food, electricity, gas and water are all extremely low compared to U.S. prices. The average rent is approximately $300-500 per month which sometimes includes a condo fee for 24-hour security. With an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables—for pennies on the dollar—you can easily afford to live on $200 for food per month.
Eternal Springtime
Cuenca enjoys a temperate climate all year long, despite its high altitude. The average temperature ranges from 68-72 degrees during the day and 48-56 degrees at night. You can throw away the snow shovel and prepare for just two seasons: wet and dry. Because Cuenca is located near the equator, the sun is more direct but there is no humidity. Perpetual spring means that something is always in bloom. Palm trees, eucalyptus trees, and cypress trees line the four rivers that run through Cuenca. And the weather follows a predictable course with sun in the morning, followed by clouds forming in the afternoon with scattered showers and clearing up before evening. Mornings and evenings are relatively cool with no extremes in temperature. Because of the near perfect weather, homes do not require heating or air-conditioning which means extra savings in your pocket.
Excellent Transportation System
About 75 percent of expats who retire in Cuenca, do not own a car because public transportation is cheap and efficient. Buses run every five minutes in all directions of the city for 25 cents. If you are 65 years and older, the cost is just 12 cents. Taxis are prolific and with a single wave of the hand, you can be in downtown Cuenca for $2.00. Best of all, the currency in Cuenca is the U.S. dollar so you don't have to bother with exchange rates.
Availability and Affordability of Medical Care
The medical system is a delightful shock to most “extranjeros” visiting Cuenca. There are three modern hospitals: Monte Sinai, Santa Ines and Hospital del Rio. All the hospitals are equipped with state of the art equipment and an abundance of specialists, many of whom are English speaking and trained in the States. Gone are the days when you need to wait two weeks for an appointment. You simply show up at the doctor’s office and sign in with the secretary. An average office visit is $25. Medical insurance is available, but many expats opt out of medical insurance programs because the average cost per day at a hospital is $125.
Cleanliness of the City
In part because Cuenca is an UNESCO city (World Heritage Organization), the standards for cleanliness are impeccable. Men and women in suits of green, orange and blue constantly sweep the streets and sidewalks for litter. The areas in the main square of the city—including Parque Calderon—are meticulously maintained. Trash containers are strategically placed throughout Cuenca with signs to encourage people to keep the city clean.
Pace of Life
If you’re looking for a leisurely pace of life—Cuenca is your retirement city. Most businesses are open from 9:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m. and open in the afternoon from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The rhythm of life revolves around family, food and friends. Some have compared Cuenca to one of the mid-western states in the 1950’s where Sunday drives and family picnics were the norm and not the exception. On Sundays, most businesses are closed except for restaurants.
Conclusion
Cuenca, Ecuador is a retirement destination where your dollars will stretch further and you can receive "five-star living at one-star prices." Pack up your bags and start enjoying the good life!
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Jan,
We started our residency visa process in the States. We went to the US Embassy in Washington DC and secured our 12-IX tourist visa which allows you to stay in the country for six months. We completed the process with an immigration attorney in Quito, Ecuador and in one month with had our "cedula" - resident's visa. Good luck...you'll love Ecuador!
We are planning to retire ( on a military income) in Cuenca during the summer of 2011, and we are only 52 and 53 years old. We decided to leave the US since we aren't seeing any good things happening happening here, i.e. infrastructure crumbling, schools in the toilet, food laced with steroids and chemicals, and the rich getting richer and the poor-poorer.
In Ecuador, food is cheaper and healthier, rent in half of what it costs in the states,utitlies cheaper, public transportation is easily available, the climate is wonderful and the pace of life is much slower.
Kent and Debbie, now you've got the idea. More Baby Booomers than ever are making their way to Ecuador -- not only for the healthy way of living, great climate, but the affordability of everything. Remember life and the "price" of life in the 1950-1960's, well...it's here. You will be considered the "youngsters" in Cuenca; we're 55 and still considered young, but I say the sooner -- the better. Best wishes on all your plans!
Hi there, I am thinking of visiting Curenca and would appreciate some advice on where to stay for maybe one month. The hotel Otorongo looks to be pretty good, so if anybody can help me it would be much appreciated.
There's a great place -- Villa Nova right along the Tomebamba River and close to "al centro" of Cuenca. My husband stayed there when he came to visit and loved it. Here's the link: http://www.villanovacuenca.com/
Another great place in the city is Hotel Inca Real, which puts you in the heart of the city. The owners speak English (family run business) and they are delightful.
http://www.tripadvisor.es/Hotel_Review-g294309-d31
Hope this helps. Enjoy your visit to Cuenca.
Signora Ecuador
Many thanks for the info that I will check out ASAP.
Best regards
Tigerman55
I am looking forward to your book. Please let me know when it is available.
Advise on shipping stuff to Cuenca and detailed info on what we can bring - hard to find a straight answer. Do you have one. We have been advised to get a corporation visa to get us there - less hassle and less money? Any words of wisdom? Thanks, Barbara
Hi Barbara,
Yes, there is a detailed list in the book (a his and a her's list). As far as visas are concerned, the ones I'm most familiar with are a pensioner's and investment visa. My only advice is to get a great immigration attorney. We used "Gabriella Espinosa" and we got our visas in approximately one month as she had explained to us.
All the best to you!
Senora Ecuador
y bank account in the US where I get direct deposit of my disability check?
I receive social security disability benefits of
1500.00 per month through direct deposit through my
bank here in the US. If I came to live in Ecuodor would that be a problem?
We live on $1,300 as a couple and we live just fine on that amount. Our rent is low, $200, so that helps a lot. Average rent is about $450-$500 a month. Public transportation is 25 cents so you don't need a card, and groceries are inexpensive--especially if you shop in the open markets. Yes, that should be fine to live on. Good luck!
My Mother passed away last week, and we no longer have any real ties to America as a result other than my sister. I am 34 and my wife is 29. We have two children ages 5 and 8. We plan to visit first this summer for a month or so to get a feel for the place before we buy, make sure it's a place that we would like to live. My parents left me an inheritance that earns roughly 150k a year in interest. I figure I could live out a decent middle class lifestyle here in VA, or move somewhere like there and live in luxury. I just wish I had paid more attention in Spanish classes back in high school. Not looking forward to re-learning that.
Jeff, my condolences to you and your family on the passing of your mother. It's good that you're coming to visit this summer as you can make an informed decision as a family. All the best to you!
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Janet 18 months ago
How did you arrange your visa when you moved? did you have an attorney prepare the paper in Ecuador or visit the consulate..maybe you visited your local emabassy before moving? Please advise. We are leaving for Ecuador in December. Manta is the destination
ciao ciao, Jan